July 7
CFEC celebrated 28 years of service in the South Cariboo
The Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) Society celebrated 28 years of serving South Cariboo families at its annual general meeting on June 14.
Several awards were given out by society chair Rita Giesbrecht and executive director Lisa De Paoli to donors, volunteers and staff for their committed service.
"It was a beautiful event. It was great to recognize the board and staff for their accomplishments and talk about our future plans," said De Paoli.
July 14
100 Mile Cruzers provided new PSO scholarship
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) graduating student Jason Vogel received the inaugural 100 Mile Cruzers Mechanic Bursary at the PSO Scholarship Tea on June 3.
This bursary was part of a new initiative for the Cruzers to give back to the community.
Cruzers president Jim Williscroft said the society had been wanting to do an education bursary for quite some time.
July 21
Wardens Cabin salvaged from Stobie Lake and added to the 108 Heritage Site
The BC Conservation Officer Service, Pioneer Log Homes (Timber Kings TV show) and the 100 Mile & District Historical Society got together and rescued a 75-year-old Wardens Cabin from the Stobie Lake area about 35 kilometres west of the Gang Ranch, repaired it and put it on the 108 Heritage Site.
The cabin was built on Sept. 25, 1941 by Game Wardens Jack Stewart and Walter Gill who were at that time posted in Ashcroft, said Conservation Officer (CO) Darrell Ashworth.
July 28
New toll-free number to report elder abuse
A new toll-free number for the entire Interior Health region will make it easier to report elder abuse.
A new, confidential toll-free number is now available throughout the Interior Health (IH) region, that will allow people to quickly and easily report the mistreatment of older adults.
Anyone within the IH area who has concerns regarding elder abuse can call 1-844-870-4754 to be connected with an IH staff member who is trained to respond to such situations.
AUGUST
Aug. 4
Community Kitchen was underway
Horse Lake resident Tanya Seiler, a young wife and mother caring for her eight children – two with special needs – said they had greatly benefited from attending some summer Community Kitchen events.
It was a full seven-hour day filled with workshops teaching food recovery, kitchen cooking skills, where folks could stay (or only attend) the supper, all by donation – with free child care to boot – and two more events were scheduled in August.
Aug.11
Game Warden's Cabin
As of Aug. 1 (B.C. Day), a Game Warden's Cabin rescued from Stobie Lake near the Gang Ranch in the spring officially joined the 108 Heritage Site at 108 Mile Ranch.
The Warden's Cabin was built 75 years ago and a piece of British Columbia history, so at the celebration were Conservation Officers, MLA Donna Barnett joining representatives from the 100 Mile & District Historical Society, a log home builder, a historian and an artist who were all instrumental in the moving and repairing of the cabin.
Aug.18
New internment camp plaque
More than 50 people gathered at the 100 Mile Community Hall plaza and witnessed the unveiling of a commemorative plaque about a Japanese Internment Camp on Aug. 11.
The 100 Mile House Mural Society revealed their new project depicting the history of these camps in the Cariboo, focusing on the Taylor Lake Internment Camp, where Komori and his family lived after being evicted from their homes in 1941, and their later development of the Komori Lumber business.
Aug. 25
4H Show and Sale
Canim Valley 4H Club and the Lone Butte 4H Club members were excited to show their 2016 project at the 58th Annual 4H Show and Sale at the Williams Lake Stockyards, Aug. 10-16.
This has always been a big deal for the local 4H members as the highlight of the 4H season, because they get to show off the results of their hard work for the judges as well as to all the other 4H clubs in the Cariboo.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 1
Garlic Festival a huge success
Garlic enthusiasts came from all over to attend the South Cariboo Garlic Festival in Lac la Hache.
The 2016 garlic festival was once again a great success, with many booths, live entertainment and record attendance on Aug. 27-28.
Sept. 8
Santa Claus Parade planning commenced
2016's annual Santa Claus Parade and festivities along Birch Avenue were already being organized for the Nov. 18 event.
Participants from clubs and organizations from all reaches of the community were to incorporate a 'Santa's workshop' theme into their floats and parade entries while businesses were encouraged to showcase their Christmas spirit in an effort to generate more participation and excitement than ever before.
Sept. 15
Senior cycles to conquer cancer
South Cariboo resident Harry Bishop, 79, cycled amongst almost 1,700 cancer survivors and supporters in the annual Ride to Conquer Cancer held Aug. 27-28 between Vancouver and Seattle.
Harry said it was his first time at this event to benefit the BC Cancer Foundation, and he had already signed up for the 2017 ride – as an octogenarian – but hoped to first find funding for a more suitable bicycle.
Sept. 22
Christmas Shoebox fundraiser was set for Sept. 30
The buffet dinner and auction were set for Sept. 30 at the El Caballo Restaurant, and would include a German/Mexican feast and the chance to take home some exciting auction items.
Funds raised at the event would go towards the local Christmas Shoebox program, which helps close to 250 families put presents under the tree each holiday season, according to program founder Lori Fleming.
Sept. 29
Bob Felker lost battle
The longtime fire chief of the Cariboo Regional District's (CRD) Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Bob Felker, lost his battle to cancer on Sept. 13, which left behind his wife, his family, his fire department and many friends in the community.
Chief Felker was a dedicated volunteer who had served the VFD for 34 years and left a significant void of knowledge, skills, experience and leadership – a great loss to the community, the Forest Grove fire department and the CRD.
OCTOBER
Oct. 6
Lone Butte society updated
The Lone Butte Historical Association held its annual raffle draw in the Alice Singleton Heritage House on Sept. 21, awarding grand prize heritage quilt to Cheryl Powell along with other winners of a wool lined sleeping bag and (two) $100 cash prizes.
Members also enjoyed slides of the caboose relocation at the annual general meeting and Lone Rock Cafe owner Diane Hopkins expressed her interest to possibly operate the caboose next summer as an ice cream store and help more tourists stop in their small community.
Oct. 13
Local author featured Louis Judson
Folks from near and far had attended Marianne Van Osch's home in Forest Grove on Sept. 22 to purchase her latest publication – A Mill Behind Every Stump.
The well-known and highly popular local author told the story of longtime Forest Grove resident, Louis Judson, as a child of pioneers who later built his own bush/saw mill business. Judson turned 92 that very day and spoke at the event about his interesting experiences dowsing (divining) for ground water.
Oct.20
Youth bowling program
Larry and Sherree Richet, owners of Big Country Lanes were excited about introducing the Youth Bowling Council (YBC) program in 100 Mile House.
At a YBC open house on Oct. 15, families checked out their new coaching program offered to help teach youth the fundamentals of bowling and etiquette, with an opportunity to go to local competitions and potential to compete at provincial or even national championships.
Oct. 27
Important anti-violence event
Take Back the Night, an annual event held by the 100 Mile House & District Women's Centre Society, was a means for the community to unite and voice the desire to end violence and abuse.
Area residents were invited to the 100 Mile Community Hall for a dinner, speeches, entertainment, 50-50 draw and silent auction event on Nov. 2 that culminated with an Honour Walk and Candle Ceremony for all those who experienced violence, abuse and lost their lives.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 3
Elementary school students travelled to Ashcroft for a hayride, pumpkins and fresh vegetables
On Oct. 25, Lac la Hache Elementary School students travelled to the Desert Hills Farm near Ashcroft, where all enjoyed the hayride to the Pumpkin Patch.
Each student picked out a perfect pumpkin to take home to carve and Desert Hills gave each student a bag of fresh produce to take home and share.
Nov. 10
Second Annual Seniors Resource Fair ready to go
The Second Annual Seniors Resource Fair set to take place at the 100 Mile Community Hall on Nov. 15, with health-care providers, recreation clubs, contractors, counselling services, support groups and government staff.
The exhibitor tables were all booked up so the AGE-FRIENDLY Society of the South Cariboo expected attendees to pack the hall and promised a plethora of information, resources and services on hand.
Nov. 17
Local scholar awarded
Lone Butte-raised Allison (Alli) Matfin graduated with her bachelor's degree "with distinction" (for her outstanding marks) in environmental engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2016.
Matfin also earned UBC's Applied Science Rising Stars and other awards. Her career goals aim at finding ways to manage water resources, and she volunteered on the Horse Lake Community Farm Co-operative's water committee last spring to help map the geological features of the farmland's watershed.
Nov. 24
Great Bear Rainforest
An article written by Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett noted the endorsement of the Great Bear Rainforest under the prestigious Queen's Commonwealth Canopy Initiative was conveyed when the Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited in September.
In commemoration, the B.C. government established a $1-million Great Bear Rainforest Education and Awareness Trust for children in B.C. to learn about the coastal rainforest, through raising public awareness and developing teacher and student resources.
DECEMBER
Dec. 1
Remembrance Day had huge turnout
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 261-Forest Grove 2016 Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11 was said to be "truly one to be remembered."
Following the procession to Legion Park, more and more people kept arriving, accumulating to more than 120 veterans, families and others to hear some moving speeches, and bear witness as wreaths were laid representing the two World and Korean wars, the Afghan vets and Peacekeepers, and K9 use in the military.
Dec. 8
Heroic actions saved driver
Passers-by helped pull a victim from a burning vehicle near Chasm Road mid-evening on Dec. 1.
When the vehicle incident impacted a power pole, flipped and burst into flames, two helpful samaritans rushed over, broke a window and pulled the driver out. One of them was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and released; the driver was taken by ambulance to the hospital and released the next day. The single-vehicle incident left Highway 97 closed and Clinton without power for four hours.
Dec. 15
Legion #260 going strong
The Royal Canadian Legion #260-100 Mile House reported its most outstanding general meeting ever with 53 members in attendance on Nov. 27.
Society secretary Rick Smale said he was "astonished" by the turnout and felt it boded well for 2017 membership and attendance, particularly with about 10 newer members who "got to see us at our busiest and level best, which was really, really heartening."
Dec. 22
108 Mile Santa breakfast attracted 70 gleeful youngsters
Children who lived in the 108 Mile Ranch were treated to a fun morning with two special guests when the 108 Mile Ranch Association and the 108 Lions hosted their annual Breakfast with Santa. The Dec. 3 event saw more than 70 youngsters flock to the 108 Community Hall for a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, according to organizer Bev French.
Dec. 29
National honour for UNBC student
Local forestry student Gregory Daniels, from the Canim Lake Band (CLB), was one of just two recipients of the Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth in Ottawa for his work in the resource sector.
The award recognized young aboriginal students with a strong academic standing and commitment to their field and work in the revitalized forest sector.